Nov. 12, 2008

Box Score

DALLAS, Texas - UCF freshman Kyle McEntee knocked in a rebound in front of the net for the game-winning goal just a minute and a half into the second quarterfinal game of the 2008 Conference USA Men's Soccer Championship to give the sixth-seeded Knights a 1-0 win over third-seeded Memphis. The win snapped a six-game winless streak for UCF, which grabbed its first-ever C-USA Championship win.

First-team All-Conference USA honoree Kevan George had just taken a shot that was saved, when McEntee came in and popped the rebound into the back of the goal past Memphis' Michael Goodlett for the game's only score.

UCF goal keeper Sean Johnson was solid in the box all game, facing 17 shots and stopping all five of the Tiger's shots on goal for a game-high five saves. Johnson leads the league in saves with 101 on the season and ranks 10th in the nation making 5.61 saves per game. It was also his fifth shutout of the year.

Memphis had its best chance to even the score late in the 84th minute when UCF was called for a foul in the box, giving the Tigers a penalty kick. First-team all-league member Michael Coburn stepped up to take the kick for Memphis, but Johnson didn't need to make much of a move as the kick sailed well over the top of the goal to end the threat.

UCF head coach Brian Cunningham was excited for his team that was making just its second appearance in the league championship.

"We started out fast. We're a young team and they tend to get defensive after we've scored the first game." Cunningham said. "I'm proud of our boys. We were able to get a lot of people in and everyone contributed. We were unfortunate not to get that second goal, but we played hard."

The U of M outshot UCF 17-10, while the Knights held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks. Of the Knights' 16 goals on the season, nine have come by freshman.

With the win, UCF advanced to its first appearance in the semifinals at the C-USA Championship. The Knights will meet second-seeded Kentucky at 5 p.m. CST. The two teams played in Lexington, Ky., on Oct. 22, with the Wildcats scoring two second-half goals for a 2-1 win.

Memphis ended its season at 6-11-2, while the Knights improved to 7-10-1.

For complete C-USA Men's Soccer Championship information visit www.ConferenceUSA.com